Sleepy Driver Already Looking Towards New Record

Over the course of the last four to five months, there has been a flurry of activity in the camp of Fredericton band Sleepy Driver.

Last October, the group won the Music New Brunswick Award for Rock Recording of the Year for their sophomore record In A Low Dark Light and also released a video for their track “Mile Marker.”

In the time leading up to that milestone, the band had been busy. Originally conceived as a vehicle for the music of Sleepy Driver leader Peter Hicks, the group has evolved into one of New Brunswick’s most promising acts. Their roots-rock sound has garnered them multiple East Coast Music Award nominations and the 2009 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award while also earning them radio airplay throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.

Sleepy Driver is scheduled to perform at Plan b Lounge, located at 212 St. George Street, Friday night. Show time is 9 p.m.

Stating that the road to In A Low Dark Light was vastly different than the one the group travelled down in the making of their 2009 debut Steady Now, no one is arguably happier with the group’s progression than Hicks is himself.

“With our first record, the band had essentially just come together and was making a record,” Hicks begins. “On In A Low Dark Light, I think that we really came into our own as far as understanding the various strengths and weaknesses that each of us held as band members. We also had a better understanding of the band’s sound and what we identified with as a group. From a production and performance stand point, we were much more comfortable with each other, knowing what we could rely on each other to bring to the table.”

The manner in which Sleepy Driver birthed their sophomore record was unique in some respects though. After laying down the foundation of the record, the group splintered off to complete the remaining tracks in their respective home studios allowing the members of Sleepy Driver the opportunity to add their own flavour to the material.

“It was a great experiment for being able to take the songs and see what each of us could come up with. The experience lent itself to feeling freer to experiment with the songs as well. Looking back, it was a prolonged but ultimately worthwhile experience. That being said, I am not so sure we would make another record in the same way as it is rather labour intensive.”

Hicks shares that Sleepy Driver are already in the process of road testing a handful of new songs. While the group plans to continue to promote In A Low Dark Light throughout 2013, they are is already looking towards album number three.

“Personally, I don’t like having a long span between records. I think we will probably be blowing the dust off of the recording equipment before too long.”

Article published in the January 25, 2013 edition of the Times & Transcript